Kitchens, laundries, and bathrooms are the trickiest rooms to floor. Water, heat, dropped pots, and heavy foot traffic all take their toll. Here’s which flooring types actually work in wet areas — and which ones don’t.
The Short Answer: SPC hybrid flooring is the best all-round choice for kitchens and laundries in Australia. It’s 100% waterproof at the core, handles temperature swings, and costs a fraction of tiles. For bathrooms, it works in powder rooms and ensuites — but not inside showers.
In This Guide
1. Flooring Types Compared for Wet Areas
| Feature | SPC Hybrid | Engineered Timber | Hardwood | Tiles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterproof core | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Water-resistant surface | Yes | Limited | Limited | Yes |
| Handles spills | Excellent | Wipe quickly | Wipe quickly | Excellent |
| Temperature stability | Excellent | Good | Moderate | Good |
| Comfort underfoot | Warm, soft | Warm | Warm | Cold, hard |
| Drop impact | Good — some flex | Dents | Dents | Can crack |
| Slip resistance | Good (textured) | Moderate | Moderate | Varies |
| Price per m² | $25–$50 | $55–$80 | $80–$121 | $40–$120 |
| DIY install | Easy (click-lock) | Moderate | No (nail-down) | No (tiler needed) |
2. Kitchen Flooring: What Actually Matters
Your kitchen floor has to deal with water splashes from the sink, grease splatters from cooking, heavy foot traffic, and the occasional dropped pot or glass. Here’s what to prioritise:
Water Resistance
Kitchens aren’t as wet as bathrooms, but daily splashes around the sink and dishwasher are unavoidable. SPC hybrid handles this effortlessly — its stone-polymer core doesn’t absorb water at all. Engineered timber and hardwood are more vulnerable: standing water can seep into joints and cause swelling.
Dishwasher Leaks: The Hidden Danger
Slow dishwasher leaks under the kickboard are the #1 cause of kitchen floor damage. SPC hybrid survives this because the water sits on top of the waterproof core. With timber or engineered boards, a leak you don’t notice for weeks can destroy the floor.
Impact Resistance
Dropped pans, tins, and glasses are a kitchen reality. SPC hybrid has some flex and bounce — it handles impacts better than tiles (which crack) and timber (which dents permanently). The wear layer on quality SPC is rated for commercial use.
Comfort and Warmth
If you spend hours cooking, cold tile floors get uncomfortable fast. SPC hybrid feels warmer underfoot and has a slight cushion from the underlay. This makes a genuine difference if you’re standing at the kitchen bench for extended periods.
Best Kitchen Colours
For kitchens, lighter tones hide dust and small debris better than dark colours. From the Hippo Floors range:
- Pale Sand (6.5mm SPC) — Light, neutral, hides crumbs well
- Raw Neutral (6.5mm SPC) — Warm mid-tone, versatile
- Light Grey (6.5mm SPC) — Modern, pairs with white or grey cabinetry
- Snow Grey (9.5mm SPC) — Premium look, cool-toned modern kitchens
3. Laundry Flooring
Laundries cop the most water of any room (outside the bathroom). Washing machine overflows, splashes from the tub, and wet clothes dripping on the floor are all common.
✅ SPC Hybrid in Laundries
- 100% waterproof core — survives washing machine overflows
- Click-lock system makes replacement easy if damage occurs
- Warmer and quieter than tiles
- No grout lines to grow mould
- Easy to clean with a damp mop
⚠️ What to Watch Out For
- Silicone the expansion gap around the washing machine and tub
- Don’t let standing water pool for hours
- Use a drip tray under the washing machine as backup
- Keep water off the walls/under skirting where it can seep behind the floor
Skip the Tiles
Tiles in laundries sound logical but have real downsides: cold underfoot, hard on dropped items, grout traps mould, and they’re expensive to rip out if your laundry layout changes. SPC hybrid does everything tiles do in a laundry, costs less, and you can install it yourself in an afternoon.
4. Bathroom Flooring
Bathrooms are the wettest rooms in the house. Here’s where you can and can’t use different flooring types:
| Area | SPC Hybrid | Engineered Timber | Hardwood |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powder room (no shower) | Excellent choice | OK with care | Not recommended |
| Ensuite (shower + vanity) | Good — silicone edges | Risky | Not recommended |
| Main bathroom | Possible — needs careful install | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Inside shower recess | No — use tiles | No | No |
| Around freestanding bath | Yes — silicone the gap | No | No |
Never Use SPC Hybrid Inside a Shower
SPC hybrid is waterproof, but shower recesses need a fully waterproofed membrane system with tiled surfaces. No floating floor is appropriate inside a shower — water will get under it. Use SPC hybrid for the bathroom floor outside the shower area, with tiles inside the shower recess.
5. Installation Tips for Wet Areas
1
Silicone the Expansion Gap
In wet areas, fill the expansion gap with colour-matched silicone instead of leaving it open. This prevents water seeping under the floor. Apply a continuous bead around all edges, fixtures, and penetrations.
2
Use Moisture-Barrier Underlay
On concrete subfloors, use underlay with an integrated moisture barrier (silver/aluminium backing facing down). This adds an extra layer of protection against rising damp.
3
Apply Silicone at Transitions
Where kitchen or bathroom flooring meets tiled areas (shower entry, bathroom threshold), use a transition strip with silicone underneath. This creates a water-tight barrier at the most vulnerable point.
4
Ensure Proper Falls
In bathrooms and laundries, check that the subfloor falls toward the floor waste (drain). SPC hybrid is thin (6.5–9.5mm) and will follow the subfloor contour, maintaining drainage direction.
6. Find Your Best Wet Area Floor
Which Floor Is Right for Your Wet Area?
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Which room are you flooring?
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What’s your budget per square metre?
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What look do you prefer?
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Are you installing it yourself?
Your Recommendation
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7. FAQs
Can SPC hybrid flooring go in a kitchen?
Yes — kitchens are one of the best rooms for SPC hybrid. The waterproof core handles splashes and spills, it’s comfortable underfoot for long cooking sessions, and it won’t crack when you drop a heavy pot. Just wipe up standing water promptly.
Is engineered timber OK for kitchens?
It can work but needs more care. Engineered timber has a real wood surface that can be damaged by prolonged water exposure. If you choose engineered timber for a kitchen, wipe spills immediately and ensure good ventilation around the dishwasher and sink areas.
Can I use the same flooring in my kitchen and living area?
Absolutely — this is one of the biggest advantages of SPC hybrid. You can run the same floor seamlessly from your living room through to the kitchen without transitions, creating a clean open-plan look. Just maintain expansion gaps at doorways if the total span exceeds 10 metres.
Does hybrid flooring get slippery when wet?
Quality SPC hybrid with a textured (embossed) surface provides good grip even when damp. Glossy or smooth finishes can be more slippery. For wet areas, choose a product with a matte or textured finish — all Hippo Floors SPC products have textured surfaces for this reason.
What about underfloor heating in kitchens and bathrooms?
SPC hybrid is compatible with underfloor heating systems, both electric and hydronic. Keep the surface temperature below 27°C. This makes it a great choice for bathrooms where warm floors are a luxury — without the cold feel of tiles.
Waterproof Floors for Every Room
Our SPC hybrid range is rated for wet areas — kitchens, laundries, and bathrooms. Free delivery Australia-wide.
